House sends bill to Trump blocking online privacy regulation

Reversing the rule could, eventually, allow providers like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon to sell the browsing habits of their customers.

The FCC, then chaired by Democrat Tom Wheeler, passed those rules to require Internet Service Providers to ask customers' permission to collect, use and sell personal information.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the order soon.

The rule was passed a year ago by the United States regulator with a majority of Democrats appointed by former president Barack Obama, a scenario that has been reversed with the election of President Donald Trump.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a tweet the vote was "Terrible for American ppl, great for big biz".

Some privacy advocates said they will encourage the European Union to re-examine Privacy Shield, an agreement that allows companies to move customer data between the EU and the USA, in light of the congressional vote on the ISP privacy rules.

Republicans and industry groups have criticised that discrepancy, calling it unfair and confusing for consumers.

Violation of online privacy especially by the CIA and the NSA (National Security Agency) has been the subject of lingering debate in the U.S. as the two spy agencies have already been accused of using social networking sites to gather personal information of people worldwide.

Greer tells Newsweek that Fight for the Future plans to put up billboards with the names of every member of Congress who voted to repeal the FCC's broadband privacy rules. Republicans have suggested that ISPs should be regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) instead of the FCC.

However, House Democrats accused Republicans of essentially throwing US consumers' privacy rights under the bus.

Just as the Senate vote to overturn privacy rules was close (50 votes to 48), so was yesterday's: 215 to 205.

Ajit Pai, the Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission chairman, said existing privacy protections would remain in place. Republicans repeatedly discounted the privacy benefits generated by the rule. Over the last two months, they have voted to repeal more than a dozen Obama-era regulations in the name of curbing government overreach. "It does provide an opportunity for President Trump, however. They're just going to have to be more aggressive and assertive in telling the company what their preferences are", Luehr, an attorney who use to work for the FTC, told Fox 9.

"We simply want them to get our approval before they can sell this information to the highest bidder". It will not change or lessen existing consumer privacy protections. "There should not be one standard for internet service providers and another for other online companies".

That data may include your web browsing history, Social Security number, information about your health and other sensitive details. A VPN, or virtual private network, is one option to protect your online identity.

Share this:

Hot News

Environmental groups vowing to fight Trump climate actionsApr 04, 2017 - 04:45
" We're going to go in a different direction ", a senior White House official told reporters ahead of Tuesday's order. But coal is dying as a major energy source in the United States for reasons far beyond the reach of executive orders.

I want my kids to have siblings: Kim KardashianApr 04, 2017 - 04:39
Talking about her company, Khloe said: "Emma and I both agreed there was something missing from the denim community". When the hair got even shorter, she alerted her fans in a different video, "I cut my hair even shorter today, guys".

Congress lets states block some Planned Parenthood moneyApr 03, 2017 - 03:16
In a split decision, 50 Republican senators voted for the bill, while 48 Democrats and two Republicans voted against it. Title X was set up under Richard Nixon in 1970 to provide health care services to low-income and uninsured patients.

Drew McIntyre confirms he's signed with NXTApr 03, 2017 - 03:04
Ember Moon has Asuka set up for the Eclipse, but the champ shoves the referee into the ropes, forcing Moon to crash to the floor. These likely will just be updated belts, similar to the recently updated RAW Tag Team Championships.

Knee injury sidelines Knicks' Rose for remainder of seasonApr 03, 2017 - 02:36
He missed the entire 2012-13 season, played only 10 games the following season, and missed substantial time in every season since. Of course, Rose can still sign a contract extension with the Knicks before July 1, but both sides appear ready to move on.

Derrick Rose to have knee surgery again, miss rest of seasonApr 03, 2017 - 02:35
Derrick Rose's season and maybe even his New York Knicks career seem to be over, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical . The original diagnosis was a sore knee, and Rose had missed three consecutive games - including Sunday against the Celtics.

Trump's tweet in a coal mine: Darcy cartoonApr 02, 2017 - 01:30
PSE reached an agreement with environmental groups last year to close down its two dirtiest coal plants in the next five years. Regardless, Yeatman and CEI have long thought the Clean Power Plan and other rules were all pain and no gain.

Physical, Behavoral Changes Point To Giraffe Baby's BirthApr 02, 2017 - 01:13
Due to the long gestation period , giraffes won't often deliver another calf for another 16 months - maybe more in some instances. What if YouTube removes the video again? Patch continued, "A calf is imminent... and I really mean it this time".

Arsenal v Manchester City - the fans' viewApr 01, 2017 - 01:38
That is basically our attacking potential and we also have to focus on our togetherness and our desire to prepare our future. Their job is to perform and for me [it is] to help them to perform and to develop as players.

Top players missing for West Brom clashApr 01, 2017 - 01:36
United are four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool with two games in hand and have not lost in their last 18 league matches . According to the Portuguese, that contrasted starkly with West Brom who he said had just one player away on worldwide duty.

Josh Whedon In Talks To Write & Direct Batgirl FilmApr 01, 2017 - 01:35
The Batgirl character was memorably played by the late Yvonne Craig on the third and final season of ABC's Batman in 1967-68. Whedon is also known for his television series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel , Firefly and Dollhouse .